Frances Douglas, Lady Douglas facts for kids

Frances Douglas, Lady Douglas (born July 26, 1750 – died March 31, 1817), was an interesting woman from a noble family. She was known as Lady Frances Scott before she married. She became the wife of Archibald Douglas, 1st Baron Douglas. Frances was also the mother of a well-known novelist, Caroline Lucy Scott. She was good friends with the famous writer Walter Scott, just like her brother, Henry Scott, 3rd Duke of Buccleuch. Besides her family connections, Frances was also an amateur artist, and some of her artworks are still around today.

Early Life and Family

A painting by Joshua Reynolds, possibly of a young Frances Scott.

Frances was born into an important family. Her father was Francis Scott, Earl of Dalkeith, and her mother was Lady Caroline Campbell. Sadly, her father passed away three months before she was born.

When Frances was about eight years old, a famous artist named Sir Joshua Reynolds painted a portrait of her and her brothers. This painting is now believed to be kept at the National Gallery of Scotland.

In 1755, her mother remarried a politician named Charles Townshend. He became Frances's stepfather and took a special interest in her education, guiding her studies.

Life in Society

Douglas House, where Frances lived.

In 1767, Frances traveled to Scotland for her brother's wedding. She stayed for a while at Dalkeith Palace, a grand home. There, she met Alexander Carlyle, a local minister, and they became good friends. He admired her cleverness and good taste. They often wrote letters to each other, and he enjoyed her writing skills.

While she was away, her stepfather, Charles Townshend, passed away. Even though she lost his guidance, Frances enjoyed being part of the lively literary discussions and gatherings at Dalkeith Palace.

In 1779, Frances inherited a large house in Petersham, London, now called Douglas House, and a significant amount of money from her aunt, Lady Jane Scott. A few years later, in 1782, Frances and her brother visited Dublin, Ireland. There, she helped her stepsister, Anne Townshend, who was dealing with financial problems.

Marriage and Children

On May 13, 1783, Frances married Archibald Douglas, 1st Baron Douglas in London. Archibald was described as a "safe and comfortable man." He had been married before, and his first wife, Lady Lucy Graham, had passed away in 1780. Frances felt a strong connection to Archibald's four children from his first marriage, which was one reason she wanted to marry him.

Frances and Archibald had six children together:

• Frances Elizabeth Douglas (died 1854)
• Mary Sidney Douglas
• Hon. Caroline Lucy Douglas (1784–1857), who became a novelist.
• Hon. Sholto Scott Douglas (1785–1821)
• Reverend James Douglas, 4th Baron Douglas (1787–1857), who later inherited his father's title.
• Hon. George Douglas (1788–1838)

Their family home was Bothwell Castle. Frances loved to host guests there, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. She often entertained poets and authors. Famous guests included M. G. Lewis, Mary Berry, and Sir Walter Scott. It was at Bothwell Castle that Walter Scott met Frances's close friend, Lady Louisa Stuart, in 1799.

Influence on Literature

Lady Louisa Stuart later suggested that Sir Walter Scott might have based the character of Jeanie Deans in his famous novel The Heart of Midlothian partly on Frances Douglas. Lady Louisa wrote a memoir about Frances for her family, which was eventually published in 1985.

Letters between Frances and her friend Dorothy Bentinck, Duchess of Portland, written between 1766 and 1771, are kept in the National Archives, giving us a glimpse into her life and thoughts.